Constellations of Scars by Melissa Eskue Ousley was a hard to put down, addicting read that was fast paced and thoroughly entertaining. It’s a bit of a fairytale and a horror story, which was a really intriguing mix of genres.

The cover is what drew me to reading this story and thankfully, I judged a book by its cover this time. What was inside the pages was excellent. I loved the writing. It kept me engaged from page one.

The characters are excellent as well. I felt like I was able to connect to them, easily.

The only downside was, I wish it was longer! Otherwise, I loved it. Definitely recommend giving it a read!

I received an eARC via the author, via NetGalley this does not affect my opinion of the book, all my thoughts are my own and are honest.

Constellations of Scars had a very unique premise. It drew me in and I needed to know more.

Amelia was very naive to no fault of her own, she had been locked away from the world since she was 12 years old. She wasn’t the best main character to follow in the best way possible. You would be looking at all her decisions and know it wasn’t the right thing to do or life wasn’t too easy, but due to Amelia not knowing this, I found entertaining to read. But on the flip side, I also found she was too trusting in the world and how everything was easy and it was a bit hard for the logical side of my brain to process.

Other than the premise, this book was a disappointing read for me. I found the pacing was off. It would be very slow through the middle, but the ending conflict was finished way too quickly for my liking. There was a writing style choice in the book that wasn’t a personal favourite. The charters weren’t all that fleshed out which made it very hard for me to care when certain things happened.

This book had a lot of potential for me. I feel the book could have been longer, the pacing could have been more evened out, the end conflict could have gone on longer, and the characters were more fleshed out.

2 ⭐️

Thank you so much NetGalley and Melissa Eskue Ousley for the chance to review your novel.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book! First, let's talk about that cover art. IT. IS. STUNNING. It's what got my attention and it would definitely be something that would catch my eye on a shelf in the store. So, that's an obvious win! I found this book to be a quick read and I enjoyed it. I thought the characters were interesting and that the author's writing style was fantastic.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a really unique story that I hadn't come across before. The characters were great and believable, and it was really easy to follow her journey and feel for everything she went through.

This book was disappointing, to say the least.

It tells the story of Amelia, a young woman who once a month, for unknown reasons, can shed pearls out of her back like an oyster. Thus, her mother has held her captive throughout her life, to prevent outsiders from damaging her or stealing her pearls (pearls that provide her with a LOT of money).

When Amelia decides to escape from her; And I will not consider this a spoiler, because it happens in the first pages of the book; When she decides to escape from her, she meets Peter, a man who, together with his father and his adoptive brother, is about to open a museum of human oddities (but not in the bad way).

So far it seems like a nice retelling of Rapunzel (or Tangled), but it takes a completely different direction and that's where my problem with this book begins.

To me, this book looks like what happens with Sophie Lennon, in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, the woman is a comedian, but she wants to do a play, when Sophie is in the middle of the play, she cowers and goes back to what she already knew and brings out her comedy character. The same happens with the author, she usually writes suspense, but she wanted to write a fantasy, in the middle of the book she cowers and returns to what she already knew, forcing a plot twist, flopping in the process.

PUT THAT ON YOUR PLATE!

This book needs a few trigger warnings, as it is a YA novel.

A story about survival, trust and finding a place to belong.
This did start off interesting enough. I was intrigued about Amelia and her condition. To find out more. Which we never really do.
I had no problem reading this is one sitting. The pacing was fast up until the last 20% were it felt rushed. Like the author was trying to wrap it all up as quickly as possible.
Amelia was brave but also naive. Despite being kept away from people most of her life she instantly trusts a random man. Her problems were also solved way too easily I felt. Especially for someone who was kept away from the real world. She knew how to solve everything too easily.
Even when fighting for her life. It came too easy. She stayed calm like it wasn't this big emotional thing.

The story sounded so interesting but fell flat. If it had been longer or developed more it might have worked better for me.

Oh, I really liked this one. Wow. I was very pleasantly surprised as I was not expecting the book to be what it was, but it did it very well. My favorite thing about this book was that I didn't know what to expect. I loved going into it pretty much blind, it definitely made the experience a lot better, which is why I recommend everyone go into it without knowing anything about it. This book was very good, definitely one of my favorites this year. Read it!

This is the first book I've read by Melissa Eskue Ousley but I hope it won't be the last. Constellations of Scars was definitely unique - it's about a girl, Amelia, who when she turns 12, she starts to grow pearls out of her back. After finding this out, her mother basically makes her a prisoner in her home.

When Amelia decides she isn't ok with how her mother is treating her, she starts to plan a way to escape and when she finally does, things change quickly for her. Amelia has led a sheltered life so now that she is out in the world, she has to learn quickly how to survive. When she meets a new family and becomes intertwined in their lives, she truly finds out just how dangerous things can get.

Overall, this was an interesting book. I can't quite compare it to anything I've read mostly because it is so out there in terms of Amelia's history and what happens to her but if you're looking for a book with a unique story, consider picking this one up.

Review: 3 Stars

This book is definitely unlike most books that I read, but the blurb sounded so interesting that I decided to pick it up. I originally thought that it might be a fantasy, but it’s set in the real world and while the pearl aspect is abnormal it isn’t a fantasy novel. The premise for the book was so intriguing that I picked it up the second that I got a review copy. Constellations of Scars was a really quick read that I finished in less than a day. I found myself captivated by the story and I found it hard to tear myself away because I needed to know what happened next.

Constellations of Scars had a fascinating premise and plot. I really enjoyed following Amelia’s story as she ran away from her abusive mother and tried to make a life for herself. The plot was full of twists and turns and I never knew what was going to happen next. The pacing was pretty fast and there were very few dull moments. It was a really interesting story with themes of abuse, independence and humanity. I feel like the plot was excellent and compelling, which really helped make up for some of the book’s flaws.

While the story itself was really good, the writing was not. I felt like the entire book lacked emotion. It’s told in first person from Amelia’s point of view as if she is telling us events that happened n the past. At times it felt like reading someone’s diary as mundane day to day events were explained. The author told us things rather than showing them through her writing which kept me from really connecting to the story and the characters. While the characters had interesting back stories the character development was really weak. The themes of abuse and independence could have made this a much more emotional read, but instead it felt a bit clinical. I also felt like the ending was a bit out there. I don’t want to give spoilers, but it just felt like the book suddenly went in a very different direction and while it was kind of cool, it just didn’t fit the story.

Constellations of Scars is a really intriguing story with poor writing and character development. But the premise of the book and its plot were so well done that I didn’t want to set it down. While this book didn’t have me emotionally invested I still really enjoyed reading it. If you’re looking for a unique book that you can finish pretty quickly then I would recommend Constellations of Scars even though the writing wasn’t great.

I’m kind of proud of the fact that I’m not a “judge a book by its cover” kind of reader, so I never pick a book by the cover alone. That doesn’t mean that I can ignore a beautiful cover when I see it, it’s just not the total draw in my decision to pick up a book. In the case of Constellations of Scars, I’m not ashamed to admit that the cover definitely grabbed my attention. The description pulled me in enough to make it hard to resist. I love it when the inside of a book is as beautiful as the outside. ❤

This is my first read by Melissa Eskue Ousley and it was well worth taking a chance on a new to me author. I have to admit that it wasn’t at all what I expected, but that’s not a bad thing. Constellations of Scars is much more than it seems on the surface. It’s a book where the real monsters are disguised and not everything is as it seems. There are also a lot of twists and turns and some things that I never saw coming. As much as I’d love to wax poetic about what I truly loved about this story, I don’t want to give anything away.

Just know that parts of Amelia’s story isn’t easy to read, but it’s totally worth the heartbreak. There were characters that I adored and characters that I most definitely didn’t. There were times that I didn’t even like Amelia all that much – at least not some of the decisions that she made, but regardless of her uniqueness, she was still only human – flaws and all. There were even some lessons to be learned in Constellations of Scars – which ironically brings us right back to that “judging a book by its cover” thing. ❤

Melissa Eskue Ousley's latest novel, Constellation of Scars, is a novel with one of the most unique premises I have ever read.

Amelia is what her mother calls blessed, while she considers herself cursed. You see, every month, pearls sprout from her back. Given that her family needs the money, her mother is happy to collect the pearls and sell them.

Amelia would prefer they never come back, as each time they do, they cause nothing but pain – literally. Even their removal doesn't ease her pain much, as they leave behind nothing but scars. Worse, she lives in constant fear of somebody wanting her as their golden goose. Only to realize that she has already become exactly that.

Constellation of Scars is without a doubt one of the most chilling novels I've read in quite a long time. Amelia's story, while it sounds extraordinary, is actually terrifying. Imagine how it must feel to have something so beautiful yet painful stem from your skin. And worse, to then be held captive because of it.

It hits hard, and it gets worse the more you think about it. There's no escaping her reality, especially as Melissa Eskue Ousley did such a fantastic job of setting the scene. Almost too well, in some instances.

Knowing the truth of what is happening here makes the title extremely evocative. And okay, it also ups the terrifying level a bit, at least for me. That, combined with the unique idea, left me completely engrossed in this tale right up to the end.

Thanks to Midnight Tide Publishing and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rapunzel retelling with a Barnum and Bailey freak show vibe.

With an intriguing premise and gorgeous cover: I can’t just resist, so I requested The Constellation of Scars!

“Blood got everywhere and Mother wasn’t happy about it.”

This book really started strong and with a captivating first line (re: the line above). It’s a mix of fantasy and horror with themes that revolve around self-acceptance, family complexity, emotional trauma, and body horror. It’s fast-paced, and the writing style was easy to follow albeit lacking descriptions and sometimes, it went too fast that I had to pause to get my bearing.

I have two main issues with the book.
1. The pearls: It was the main focus then it was completely pushed out of the picture. It was really an interesting element, but the hows and whys were never explained.
2. Amelia’s problems: It was all easily resolved; like how or why? Everything was wrapped up too neatly for my liking.

Despite my criticisms, The Constellation of Scars was an enjoyable and fast read. It’s original and has a lot of potential. It’s a story about survival, finding one’s place, and self-acceptance.

Thank you, Midnight Tide Publishing and Netgalley for the DRC. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

I was very intrigued by the cover, title, and description of this book and I really wanted to like it but unfortunately I found this book to be disappointing.

The book started in an interesting and original way (human oyster? Tell me more.) but the pacing of the book was stiff and the first maybe 70% of the book didn't seem to sync up with the rest. The ending seemed rushed and there were a lot of unnecessary bits that I thought pulled away from the story. Character development needed some work because I didn't care for any of the characters or dislike any of the characters, I was just indifferent to all of them because they weren't developed enough to trigger any feelings one way or the other.

The thing I though was interesting and seemed to have been done well was the idea of living with a chronic illness and how you have to adjust your life.

Now, keep in mind that this is just my opinion and I'm sure that there are plenty of people that will enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


Liked:
✅original idea/ rapunzel retelling/ greatest showman vibes
✅Gabriel was an amazing character

Disliked:
❌Pacing-felt rushed
❌Instant trust- after never being around people? Uh no!
❌Nice neat bows wrapped around conflict- every struggle was instantly fixed
❌Ending- she kills him, has baby, boom done


Amelia is a 21 year old girl with a strange affliction: once a month, pearls grow out from under her skin. Her mother uses this as an easy and quick way to make money since the pearls are the perfect size, shape and luster. Amelia’s mother seems to controls every single aspect of her life and keeps her locked in the attic and isn’t even able to go in her backyard. She had no outside interaction at all. Her mother claims it's because she wants Amelia to be safe from people who would use her for her “gift”. Amelia feels trapped and begins plotting her escape by hiding a few pearls every month and leaves as soon as she has enough to be able to survive on her own.

The premise behind this book is what drew me in, it sounded unique and after seeing it pitched as a Rapunzel retelling mixed with The Greatest Showman, uh yes please, I’m so here for it. I wanted to like this book I really did. I truly loved Gabriel as a character, I though he was sweet, and rugged and broody but soft with Amelia.

However, there were many things I disliked about this book. First off, the pacing. The first half of this book was fine, I was here for it, although everything was a little too neat for my liking. Other than that, everything was rushed. BAM, she escapes and gets to Portland, BAM, she is mugged as soon as she gets there, BAM, she finds a super nice guy who shows up and makes all her problems go away! Like she instantly trusted Peter, and for why, because he was handsome and made her feel fuzzy? No girl, like you just got mugged, you your head.

I feel like if this book was just a hundred pages longer it would have made a world of difference! I hated that we were just thrust Amelia’s disorder but not really told much other than she births pearls every month when she has her period. I don’t know, I liked the story well enough but I just feel there was so much the author could have done.

I was actually really looking forward to this novel. Unfortunately, it read less like a horror novel and more like young adult romantic fantasy. Just not for me and full of too many cliches for my liking.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

So much happened in this book. Amelia's story was hard to read at times and she was a very resilient character. Her ability to create pearls was never totally explained, but it was honestly something I'd never thought of and the repercussions of it were fascinating. Her mother made me want to scream a bit (and so did another character!) but I loved the other characters, especially brooding Gabriel. The museum felt very vibrant throughout the story and I really felt like I knew it. Around 3/4 of the way through the story, there was a HUGE plot twist that kept me totally stressed for the rest of the book. I was left with a few questions, but overall it was a quick, and exciting read.

Amelia has lived a sheltered life, constantly living under the protection of her controlling mother in fear of revealing her deepest secret: a mutation that could be exploited by society. In attempt to hide her, Amelia becomes a prisoner in her own home with no free will. Finally, she breaks free of this captivity to find a new life: an escape to a seaside circus, of sorts. Will she find peace with a self-built family? Or will her past and mutations continue to haunt her?

This book is a happy mix of Grimm Fairy Tales and the Barnum & Bailey Circus. There are constant themes similar to Rapunzel, intertwined with new-found family tropes and a twist in the middle.

This book was a pleasure to read. The prose was easy, and I read it quickly, nestled between daily tasks and expectations at work. Though some of the plot was predictable, I still found an escape in the pages, even experiencing some heart-racing moments that pushed me forward. I enjoyed the setting in the Pacific Northwest, as I hail from West Coast Canada - the scenery set a sense of mysticism that was appropriate for the enigma surrounding Amelia's condition.

I will admit, however, that the crisis point in the book hit me a little different. It disoriented me slightly to the story that had been established and drew me out of the events that were happening. The quick flip from re-imagined fairy tale to a dark and insidious plot threw me for a loop that I wasn't necessarily ready for. This shift caused the end of the book to feel rushed - I think it would've benefitted with a longer ending and better conclusion to some events.

All in all, a very good read. I'd be interested to see what other books Melissa has written, as her writing style is enjoyable for a leisurely read.

DNF @ 14%

I was super intrigued by the premise and the cover is gorgeous, and it immediately drew me in, but as I kept reading I felt less invested in reading the book. Amelie is an interesting character and I’d like to see the exploration of her surviving the abuse from her mother after running away, but…I just don’t want to keep reading? I definitely have feelings of curiosity that make me want to keep reading, but I think I may not be vibing with the writing, despite how quick and easy to read it is.

What I Liked
The cover is simply beautiful. It was one of the main reasons I decided to take a chance on a YA novel. The other was the uniqueness of the premise. Who wouldn’t want to read about a human oyster?

The author’s description of what life’s like for someone who has a chronic health condition rings true. Other people’s attitudes towards the said person and how the debilitating condition creates a new normal were both done very well.

The writing flows smoothly, which made it easier for me to slip into Amelia’s world.

What I Didn’t Like
While the premise was original, it wasn’t the highlight of the book. Nowhere is the reason for Amelia’s condition explained the way. For instance, Gabe’s hirsute appearance is related to hypertrichosis. So, if those other circus characters had nothing supernatural about them, why not explain Amelia’s? In addition, maybe if she had sought out her dad — the guy walked out on her mom — we could have known more. So, we end up with a story that would remain pretty much the same if we took the pearls out of the equation. Not so special anymore?

Secondly, we do see Amelia struggle a bit in the beginning when she runs away from home. But all her problems are magically solved very quickly. Didn’t seem very real to me.

Amelia knew Peter had a temper and that there was something off about him. Yet, she reaches for him and not the not-so-good-looking Gabe. That was vain for a girl who should know better than to judge people over their looks. And when she and Gabe get together at the end, it made me feel like he was a consolation prize.

Like Peter’s dad accepting his son, the way most characters act was a serial killer right off the bat and then being okay with the girl who killed him made the reaction very unrealistic.

Why was miscarriage even a part of the story when it wasn’t going to have any impact on it? This is a sensitive topic that shouldn’t have been used for shock value.

All in all, if you asked me to summarize this book in a line, I’d say that it was based on an original concept that wasn’t treated as well as it should have been.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy of the book.
Everything about this book demanded to be read - the cover, the concept, the synopsis, and even the really intriguing first line! But unfortunately, it's one of the most disappointing books that I have read.
Despite having really short chapters, easy-flowing language, and lots of Tangled vibes - it was not enjoyable at all.
Amelia as a character was pretty annoying. There were tons of telling instead of showing and granted that it's written in first pov and we find out more about this world through her eyes, but there was so much info-dumb and unnecessary details that I couldn't help but skim over certain parts.
It was unusual for a twenty-one-year-old character to behave in such an immature manner, and peter the male protagonist was twenty-seven but it felt like he was an angsty teenage boy.
The pace of the ending didn't at all fit with the rest of the story. Unfortunately, I won't be reading this book again.
However, I am really intrigued to try more from this author in the future because her concept and idea were really cool.
And one last thing - although this story portrays hope, something about the idea of glossing and glorifying rare diseases, which is actually a really sensitive topic, didn't sit well with me. I won't be posting this review over at my blog - The Fictional Journal, as it is less than two stars. Thank you very much!